Hey Billy Goats and jamgrass fans!
If you’re a fan of jammy bluegrass or just good music in general, you’ve probably heard of Billy Strings.
Hailed as a modern prodigy of American acoustic music, this guy has single-handedly invigorated the bluegrass genre with his insane guitar skills and compelling storytelling.
Whether it’s a foot-stomping anthem or a soulful ballad, Billy Strings knows how to make strings sing and in the past few years – he has blown up on the music scene while knowing to partner with folk and country legends.
If you are new to the world of Bill Strings (or jamgrass in general) here are some of the best songs to get you started.
1. “Away from the Mire”
Album: Home
Date Released: September 2019
There’s something mystical about “Away from the Mire,” as if each note strings together a fable. The song is a tapestry of folk and bluegrass, all laced with Billy’s intricate guitar work. It’s a scenic drive through emotional landscapes, giving you both introspection and the urge to stomp your foot.
2. “Show Me the Door”
Album: Renewal
Date Released: September 2021
With “Show Me the Door,” Billy Strings pushes boundaries and delivers an emotional punch. Written by mandolinist Jarrod Walker, this song is like a fresh breeze with a little bite—refreshing yet impactful. Strings’ vocal versatility shines here, inviting listeners to ponder life’s complexities.
3. “Turmoil & Tinfoil”
Album: Turmoil & Tinfoil
Date Released: September 2017
A song as chaotic and beautiful as its name suggests. “Turmoil & Tinfoil” presents Strings’ ability to blend traditional and experimental. Its layers create a burst of energy that you can’t help but feel coursing through your veins, a wild ride on the strings if there ever was one.
This dark and dissonant tune is best caught in a live setting rather than from the studio album as always includes such unique improvisation.
4. “Watch It Fall”
Album: Home
Date Released: September 2019
Don’t be fooled by the mellow start; “Watch It Fall” soon catapults you into a web of intricate licks and thought-provoking lyrics. It’s a tune that makes you contemplate the world around you while reveling in the sheer musical mastery on display.
5. “Meet Me at the Creek”
Album: Turmoil & Tinfoil
Date Released: September 2017
Buckle up, folks! This is a heart-thumping, river-rippling, fire-crackling kind of song. “Meet Me at the Creek” embodies the raw energy of a live jam session, with riffs that make you wish you could join Strings and his band by that proverbial creek.
6. “Must be Seven”
Album: Home
Date Released: September 2019
“Must be Seven” is an excursion into the magical world of storytelling, embedded in bluegrass roots. Billy Strings’ guitar work is phenomenal, and the pace is so lively it practically pulls you into a dance. The song weaves between nostalgia and the joy of the present, creating a timeless feel.
7. “Pyramid Country”
Album: Renewal
Date Released: September 2021
This tune takes you on a sonic journey unlike any other. “Pyramid Country” fuses traditional elements with exploratory progressions, producing a soundscape that’s simultaneously ancient and futuristic. If Billy Strings had a signature dish, this would be it—complex yet comforting. While it is simply an instrumental song without words, it is one of his iconic staples whenever it is played live.
8. “Know It All”
Album: Renewal
Date Released: September 2021
“Know It All” is a straightforward yet deeply resonant song. Its lyrical wisdom is wrapped in classic bluegrass instrumentation, and it resonates with everyone who has ever been too sure of themselves only to be humbled by life. It’s an aural slice of humble pie served by Strings.
9. “Red Daisy”
Album: Single
Date Released: Yet to be released in an album
Though not part of any album yet, “Red Daisy” stands strong in Billy Strings’ repertoire. The song showcases the artist’s emotional range and ability to touch listeners with simple yet profound storytelling. The guitar work, as always, is mesmerizing and adds depth to the tale being spun.
10. “In the Morning Light”
Album: Home
Date Released: September 2019
Ending our list with another gem from “Home,” “In the Morning Light” is a poetic journey into the tranquility of dawn. It’s Billy Strings at his most contemplative, providing a perfect counterbalance to his more high-octane tracks. The slow-building crescendos give this song a stirring, emotional climax that makes it unforgettable.
